The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-04-29

MllNdukee, WITH which MT. Mitchell
was connected, furnished tie chief
bank paper circulation here for anam-
Der of years, and from that institution
many loans were obtained to pay for
lauds in early times. During Terri
torial days Mr.. Mitchell had occasion.
to become acquainted with prominent
men in Wisconsin. particularly men,
bers of the Territorial legislature.
The per diem and travelling expenses of
that body were paid by Congress, and
it nearly always happened that the
money to pay the legislature had not
been received at the time of adjourn
ment. Although it took nearly two
days, on account of the badness of the
roads at the spring season of the year,
to make the journey from Milwaukee
to Madison, Mr.. Mitchell was always
on hand, with carpet bag in hand,
with funds 10 buy the pay script of
members. enabling them to pay their
board bills and go home to their famil-
les. Mr.. Mitchell was welcome WIS.,
itor at Madison at these times, and
there was no bantering as to the
amount of discount for cashing the
scrip of members.
Mr. Mitchell had much more than
ordinary business tact, although not a
highly educated and scholarly man.
During his two terms in Congress he
never made speech. In this respect
he was like Senator Sawyer, who never
went beyond making a motion or NOV
ing an amendment while in Congress
Mr.. Mitchell, all through his public
career, sustained his reputation Of be-
ing fair and honest man; his liberal
benefactions were many, but it hardly
can be said that these were proportion
ed to his wealth. He identified his
interests largely with the city of Mil
waukee, therefore that city with much
reason deplores his loss, and regards his
death as a great calamity. 1t was
natural that he should be venerated
not alone for his many good qualities
as citizen, but for his great wealth.
The world in all ages has bowed to
wealth, and perhaps always WILL A
writer for Milwaukee paper standing
before the Mitchell mansion, where the
dead banker was lying in wait for the
final obsequies, speaks of the clouds
and sky as fitting the time and occasion.
Shakespeare in the tragedy of Julius
Caesar, makes one of his characters
say: Igsq :.
81 There are no comets seen when beggarS die
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death
of princeS."
No one observes any popularity in
the clouds and sky when the poor man
dies, but there is often something in
that direction seen when the rich man
dies. Many notices have appeared in
the public journals Of the life and
character of Mr.. Mitchell. Among the
sermons preached last Sunday, refer
ring to him, we take the concluding
paragra phs of one by Rev. Mr.. Tits
worth, delivered in Plymouth church,
Milwaukee, reported in the Sentinel.
After recounting the many good quail
ties of Mr.. Mitchell, the reverend gem
tleman says:
"Yet c0nceding all that is claimed
for him. there is general regret that
his benefactiOns are not more nearly
proportionate to his abilities. All his
great abilities were thrown into enter
prises for his own profit and the profit
of his business associates. 1t is a great
criticism upon Mr.. Mitchell that this
city has no rark. no library, not a
single thing of a public character by
which the people of his adopted home
may remember him. The city had a
right to expect that he would give the
city some monument to his munifcence
as well as to his great business ability
His will may contain provisions which
will sweep away these criticisms, but
why do not men see that their money
is we'll spent 10y making proper use Of
it in life, and not run the risk of hav-
ing it done by trustees or executors